Check out our new website with details about the upcoming Rally for Science on April 14, 2018.

Rally with citizens who value science and evidence-based thinking.

We are making our voices heard and our leadership held accountable.

March for Science Philadelphia is one of over 600 satellite marches for the March for Science.

Saturday, April 22, 2017​, 10a-2p EST

We will assemble at 10:00a on the south side of City Hall (Juniper Street). The March will kick-off promptly at 11:00a and will go down Market street to Front street, Front street to Chestnut street and then over Chestnut street to Penn's Landing - Great Plaza.

Entertainment will begin at 11:30a, featuring local band The Really Cooks, and the March for Science PHL speakers will begin at 12n. The event will end by 2p.

Philadelphia is home to more than 530,000 STEM jobs, a wealth of academic institutions that graduate more than 37,000 STEM majors annually and a research and development machine which was awarded more than $1 billion in NIH funding in the past 5 years. While many Philadelphians appreciate the vital role that science plays in our everyday lives, recent shifts in the public discourse have shown that we need to better communicate our methods and findings to our communities. That is why this year on Saturday, April 22, Philadelphia will join cities from across the world in a March for Science.

The nationwide March for Science movement has five overarching goals: humanize science, support the scientific process and scientists, advocate for accessible and inclusive science, partner with the public, and enable the use of science to improve society. Each of these values speaks to Philadelphia’s own scientific community and highlights some unique challenges that our region faces.

We strive to humanize science by advocating for the regional value of scientific education and discovery. We will work with our local partners to highlight the importance of science and research in our local communities and the economy. And through our blog series, #ScientistsofPhilly, we will highlight local scientists.

We support the scientific process and scientists by advocating for increased government funding for scientific research and opposing policy that discourages international scientific collaboration.

We advocate for accessible and inclusive science by highlighting STEM outreach opportunities and connecting local groups and scientists that promote diversity and inclusion in science. We must ensure that education and career opportunities in STEM are open, inclusive, and accessible to all citizens. MFS Philly encourages scientists to participate in mentoring, science fairs, and as volunteers across science education in the Philly area.

We will partner with the public by promoting existing science communication activities that bring STEM education into informal settings, as well as encouraging citizen science initiatives. Citizen-supported science can help bridge the divide between science professionals and the general public. Through these efforts we hope to inspire scientists to share their work openly with the general public.

We will enable the use of science to improve society by demanding proper use of scientific evidence in policymaking and encouraging civic engagement by scientists. Through partnerships and our calls-to-action we highlight policies that affect our communities and provide information on actions to take.

Marchers for Science will be joined at City Hall by Brian Patrick Mulligan as "Ben Franklin."

Historian & seasoned TV actor, Brian Patrick Mulligan has portrayed "Ben Franklin" across the country for over 25 years.

Learn more at his website and make sure to look for him in the crowd at our rally at Penn's Landing!

Sponsors

"As freethinkers, we know that the development of science-based technologies addresses the global problems facing humankind. In these troubling times of global warming and social unrest, The Free Thought Society stands with scientists across the world in demanding more action, proper funding of additional research and acceptance of scientific discoveries and their implications for society. The goal to better the human condition and to improve the environment can only be reached by supporting science through government and involved citizens."

“We are all scientists, whether we’re wearing lab coats or business suits or hoodies and jeans. We experiment, we fail, and we repeat, over and over again… until we reach a breakthrough. For some of us, that process takes place in the lab, a garage or the marketplace. Science is universal and it’s everywhere. Our experiments and discoveries serve as the foundation for truth and understanding of the world we live in. What unites us all, is a thirst for discovery and ability to learn from our experiences. As a network of innovators solving problems and fueling change, the University City Science Center supports the March for Science.”

"The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University supports the March for Science, and we encourage everyone connected with the scientific community to participate. The success of our nation and the future of our planet depend on the prioritization and advancement of scientific research and education. Founded in 1812, our mission is to advance research, education, and public engagement in biodiversity and environmental science. We will continue to deliver robust, credible science to the public to help citizens, educators and policymakers alike make informed decisions about issues that impact our everyday lives."

The Audubon Society's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity.

"Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania supports the March for Science because good environmental policy can only come from a solid scientific understanding of the natural world. We rely on science to help us tackle threats from climate change to clean air, land, and water. CVPA works to ensure that Pennsylvania's elected officials understand the issues our environment faces, and encourages them to stand up for pro-environmental policies"

"The water Philadelphians drink every day comes from the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. Biology, ecology, chemistry and engineering are key to knowing if our water is clean enough to drink, safe enough to play in and healthy enough to support life. Citizens should be empowered with a basic understanding of science so they know how to keep our waterways clean and healthy. Independence Seaport Museum is all about water and supports the March for Science."

"Pennsylvania Earth Science Teachers Association (PAESTA) is a statewide organization of close to 800 members that focuses on K-12 Earth and space science teaching and teachers. The challenges being faced by scientists are directly impacting not just what we teach, but how we teach. We are sharing with you our statement where we endorse not only the March in DC but all the marches taking place in Pennsylvania."

Philadelphia Physicians for Social"Responsibility"Science is the foundation of medical practice. It is how we make informed decisions and improve patient care. Without science we would still be practicing bloodletting and chants."

SciStarter is the place to find, join, and contribute to science through more than 1600 formal and informal research projects and events. Our database of citizen science projects enables discovery, organization, and greater participation in citizen science.

"Science is embedded in all aspects of our society from advancing video game technology to literally saving lives. At Start Talking Science we profoundly support all aspects of science research, funding, and education. Start Talking Science is a free annual public event, this year on Sept. 28, where researchers present non-technical posters to the general public. We proudly stand with the March for Science."

“As a university that has prepared students to be leaders, innovators, and practitioners in the healthcare and science fields for nearly 200 years, University of the Sciences is proud to endorse the March for Science and join our fellow champions in this celebration of science. Since our founding, USciences graduates have contributed to progress in every dimension of the health sciences and are proven everywhere they go.”

The fundraising goal for the March for Science PHL is $30,000.

Each day we get a little closer to our goal, but we could use your help!

Donations, fundraising, merchandise sales, sponsorship etc., will all go a long way toward putting on the best March for Science PHL event possible.

Director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; Maurice R. Hilleman Professor of Vaccinology and Professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Penn

There is a lot of work to be done between now and April 22, 2017 and we can use the help!

Anyone who values empirical science can participate!

To get involved, email philamarch4sci@gmail.com with your interests and availability."

Want to help with outreach?

Download our March for Science PHL flyer and help us spread the word! You can hang it up in your neighborhood and/or at work. Share the flyer on social media and with your family, friends, and co-workers! Send it out to your local schools, science centers, and community groups!

Inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility are central to the mission and principles of the March for Science. Scientists and people who care about science are an intersectional group, embodying a diverse range of races, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, religions, ages, socioeconomic and immigration statuses. We, the march organizers, represent and stand in solidarity with historically underrepresented scientists and science advocates. We are united by our passion to pursue and share knowledge.

We acknowledge that society and scientific institutions often fail to include and value the contributions of scientists from underrepresented groups. Systems of privilege influence who becomes a part of the science community, what topics we study, and how we apply our work in creating new technologies and crafting policy. We recognize that, historically and today, some scientific endeavors have been used to harm and oppress marginalized communities. Political actions -- such as gag orders for government science agencies, funding freezes, immigration bans, and policy changes blocking action on climate change -- lead to greater damage for vulnerable populations. Science itself can drive our conversations about the importance of diversity, as it provides us with the data to understand how systemic bias and discrimination impact our communities and how best to change it. We will continue improving our understanding of our problematic structures, biases, and actions in order to grow a healthier future for all.

We recognize that a diverse and inclusive scientific community asks a broader range of questions and rewards us with a greater understanding of our world. Diversity and inclusion improve creativity, drive discovery and innovation, and lead to better problem-solving by drawing on multiple perspectives. Sustaining diversity increases the capacity for change, strengthens the resilience of natural and social systems, and enhances human well-being.

To move forward as a scientific community, we must explicitly acknowledge the many significant, and often overlooked, historical and modern contributions of underrepresented members of our communities. We better serve everyone when we affirm that the labors and achievements of underrepresented communities are foundational to the creation and maintenance of our democracy; engage in difficult conversations; and sustain an open scientific community that celebrates, respects, and includes people from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

These statements require actions

We commit to educating ourselves and others about the issues of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in science.

We support and encourage the challenging conversations that follow.

We pledge to amplify the work of underrepresented scientists and to address concerns and critiques as we work together to make scientific spaces more equitable.

We stand behind our policies on accessibility, harassment, and nonviolence.

We advocate for the policies enabling equal access to science education, careers in science, and the benefits of science.

And, as always, we invite feedback on centralizing diversity and inclusion in our vision and actions.

Science in Philly

Philly is a city of firsts, and when it comes to science, we stand alone!

Meet some locals working in the sciences in our #ProfilesinSTEM blog series.